Cellular Localization and Dosage Regulation of Neural Stimulation Enabled by 1.05 GHz Ultrasonics

摘要

A novel neural stimulation system is demonstrated that is capable of delivering tunable ultrasonic stimulus at the cellular level and additionally providing feedback information towards dosage regulation. GHz aluminum nitride ultrasound transducers provide continuous wave stimulation to in vitro, retinoic acid differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells at 1.05 GHz. Results show stimulation of optically recorded calcium ion transients in SH-SY5Y cells, with during stimulation increases in FIFo of 1.5 ± 0.328, differing from pre-stimulation with p <; 0.01. The ultrasonic pulse-echo return signal of the ultrasound transducer is used to estimate and tune the ultrasound dosage using transducer design, input stimulus, and interface medium. Results and theory suggest that higher acoustic impedance cell culture medium and scaffolds will allow for delivery of higher ultrasonic intensity to neural cells. Differences in echo return amplitudes for various interface medium and input stimulus amplitudes are reported at a = 0.01.